Quakertown Hospital Widens Use Of Occupational Therapy

June 20, 1986|The Morning Call

Inpatient and outpatient occupational therapy is now available in Quakertown Community Hospital's expanded physical medicine and rehabilitation department.

The addition is expected to provide more services for the patients who are using the department, and to bring in other referrals of patients who need to develop fine motor skills, Elfriede O'Neill, public relations director for the hospital, said yesterday.

Mark L. Glunk, licensed physical therapist and director of the hospital's physical medicine and rehabilitation program explained the difference in the two services.

Physical therapists work to improve muscle strength and assist people in learning to walk. Occupational therapists help patients develop finer skills such as the ability to use their hands to pick up a knife and fork.

Debbie Klausfelder is the part-time occupational therapist who will supervise treatment in the new program. Beth Gilliland serves as a full-time certified occupational therapy assistant.

The occupational therapist provides services to individuals of all ages who have physical, developmental, emotional and social needs, and who need to learn skills that will allow them to lead independent, productive and satisfying lives.

Physicians are referring patients to the occupational therapy department for a program designed to facilitate motor development, stimulate learning, and promote independence in essential life skills.

People who have neurological problems such as head injuries and spinal cord lesions resulting from injuries are assisted by occupational therapists. Those with amputations, burns or vascular disease are referred by their doctors to occupational therapists for instruction in the use of prescribed orthotic and prosthetic devices and assistance with work-simplification techniques.

Patients with arthritic conditions, debilitating disease or impaired cognitive functions may benefit from occupational therapy that helps them increase independence in daily living.

The department is located on the ground floor in the west wing of the hospital near the Park Avenue entrance.

The department's occupational therapy professionals are registered with the American Occupational Therapy Association and licensed by the state.

Services are provided 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For further information or an appointment, contact Beth Gilliland at the hospital.